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Description : On Sunday, September 19th, the Hon. Henry Newton Rowell Jackman, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, will be present at the Simcoe County Administration Centre for the unveiling of two historic plaques commemorating the bicentennial of the 1793 expedition to Simcoe District of Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada; and the establishment in 1843 of Simcoe County as a separate administrative district of the province. The ceremonies commence at 1 p.m., at the centre in Midhurst. The Lieutenant Governor will unveil the Bicentennial plaque, while Helen Coutts, Reeve of Vespra, will represent the County Warden to unveil the County plaque.

"As part of Bradford's Sesquicentennial celebration, a new group has been formed. The Gwillim group - many of the same people who have been involved in the town's Downtown Revitalization, Communities in Bloom and local history - is dedicated to introducing a more cultural element to the community..."

"It seemed like a reasonable idea, a good idea: in this, the 50th anniversary of D-Day, to recognize some of the municipality's most highly decorated veterans, by renaming duplicate street names in their honour.
The list of names, compiled by the Royal Canadian Legion with the assistance of Bradford West Gwillimbury Police Service researchers, included Gunner JohN Douglas Breeze, recipient of the Military Medal for bravery, and Squadron Commander Brad walker, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
The idea was to honor the war veterans, while they were still alive; to eliminate the risk of confusion of street names in an emergency, by changing similar names; and perhaps, to untie the Municipality in a gesture towards its veterans.
Instead, it re-opened old wounds, and contributed towards new grievances. ..."

"The story of Ansnorveld began in 1928, when Peter Rol and his family arrived in Bradford from Holland. An experienced farmer, Rol was soon working on the land here, also. He learned to speak English by attending services in the Presbyterian church, and he learned to read English by reading comic strips. The language problem being resolved, the industrious family had, by 1930, opened up its own market where the Rol produce was sold. ..."

Description : Naunheimer, and to Zima, who donated approximately 1 acre of land to be added to the property, for lawn bowling, bocce ball and similar activities. Both Naunheimer and Zima received standing ovations.
There was also praise for Sylvia Luxton, who advocated for a seniors' leisure centre; for Steering Committee members who helped plan and organize; the new Bradford West Gwillimbury Seniors' Association; Bradford West Gwillimbury Parks & Recreation; and members of Council.
Luxton noted that in the 6 years since she had retired, "I have discovered that we have some of the most generous, hard-working volunteers."
Among the donation - a large screen television set from Shoppers Drug Mart, a Billiard table from Jamie Vins of Vins Plastics, an organ from the Newmarket Seniors Meeting Place, and 100 packs of playing cars, donated by Casino Rama.
The Scottish Evening, organized by Sandra Hudson on April 3rd, raised $1500 for the operations of the new Leisure Centre, which will be "run by seniors, for seniors."
"We have to take one step at a time. This place will grow and develop into the kind of place you want it to be," Luxton said. "You are the people who have built Bradford and put it together, and we felt you deserve it."
In addition to Mayor and Council, invited guests included MP Aileen Carroll, who described the sense of celebration that came with "accomplishing vision, accomplishing dreams but first you have to dare to dream," and MPP Joe Tascona.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Times editorial

Description : "All those who were living in the Holland Marsh and other low-lying areas during the Hurricane Hazel flood on October 15, 1954, wish to express their deepest thanks for the help they received from the surrounding communities, such as Bradford and Schomberg. With unselfish effort, they went out of their way to help those who lost homes, crops and personal belongings on that terrible night. Many organizations and individuals put in great efforts to rescue people from their second storeys or attics, ferried them to "dry" land, supplied food and clothing, and opened their homes to those who had no place to go. They assisted in the rebuilding and repairing of the damage. They supplied the facilities to repair damage done to submerged tractors and other farm equipment. The session of the Presbyterian Church in Bradford and Schomberg offered the use of their church buildings, and the council of the Springdale Christian Reformed Church wishes to again express its sincere thanks. A tremendous effort was put forth to set up a trailer park with washroom and laundry facilities. All this, in spite of the damage they suffered themselves from Hurricane Hazel's fury. Last but not least, we should think the Mennonite Relief organization, whose members showed up every day by busloads to help repair our homes."

"One of the groups celebrating Bradford's 150th Anniversary is the Gwillim Group - a group of history buffs, under the aegis of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association, that is turning the spotlight on Upper Canada's First Lady.
Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim was not only the wife of Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe, she was an ardent traveller, a hostess equally at home in the wilderness and high society, and an accomplished artist. The Gwillim Group has commissioned a bronze and rock sculpture, by artist Brenda Wainman Goulet, which will be placed in the parkette beside the Post Office on Barrie St.
The Gwillim Group is holding a fundraising Dinner Theatre event tonight, June 9, in partnership with the Bradford District High School Drama Club. The students will present a homorous production of "Happy Birthday Bradford, or Who want a carrot for a mascot?" - while the Group serve up a Spaghetti Dinner, with Strawberry Shortcake for dessert, and there will be a silent auction of items that include an original painting by local artist Kathryn Bury."

Description : For the first three months that the Compton's Garden Market IGA was open, it was both the newest and the oldest IGA store in Canada. The IGA located at the corner of Melbourne Drive and Holland Street West in Bradford, is still the oldest store in the country, celebrating 56 years of customer service this summer. Not only that, but the IGA is still owned by the Compton family - the third generation of Comptons - and that is something that makes Dave and Karen Compton proud. The original store, opened in 1944, was located at 12 Holland Street West; from 1969 to 1983, the store was on John Street West; and from 1983 to just last year, it was located in the Holland Square Plaza. When David Compton had the opportunity to follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps, and build a new facility, he jumped at the challenge, "It was almost a test: "Show us what you've learned." I think I put everything that I learned into the building of the store." For about 10 years, he had kept notes on what worked and what didn't - and the result is the "Market Garden", with its ample parking, high ceilings, wide aisles and generous entry-way, now being used as a model for other new IGA stores. The store will be marking its 56th anniversary with a 2 week celebration.

"To celebrate Canada's 125th birthday, why not take a walking tour of some of the oldest streets in Bradford, four of which date back 162 years!" ...

Two articles relating to the memories of those who lived through the Holland marsh flooding due to Hurricane Hazel. The first is a continuation of Edo Knibbe's recollection, and the second is by Addy Ellens.